Letter from Adele Harms to Edith Schiele, 12th Jul. 1915

Translation of the Transcription:

Monday 12th Jul. – Before midnight.

Did you know, dearly beloved, that your Delale [Adele Harms] was ill last week, now she is smoking again – thank God! – I thought I had swallowed something along with the good K. bread, but the doctor said I had an acute catarrh of the larynx and should get some rest – not leave the house in wet weather (but now it is raining constantly, as it is where you are), inhale and – just think! – not talk. I have not taken any of his advice. What do you think of my courage. I even went bathing with it on Sunday, but no water, just sun & air. How are you doing, Ediderle [Edith Schiele], with your cheek? What did you do to deserve such fun. Let them remove the superfluous gland. Mother’s foot is still not better, it is healing really slowly this time. If nothing unforeseen had happened on Sunday. Just think, oh my! Dear Mrs. Pelikan was there and later our 4 brats and Mama came for dinner; I would have liked to go to the theater, but there was no way I could escape. That’s Sunday on Hietzinger Hauptstrasse for you! I am very surprised that there is no longer a theater in Neuhaus, I have already corrected it in the lexicon, maybe the theater was turned into the barn where Egon [Schiele] is now sleeping. Today I came across an old issue of the “Künstlerzeitung”. One review reads:
“The others performed according to their powers, which in the case of Mr. [Franz?] Höbling and Mr. [Hermann?] Romberg did not amount to much.” I only mention it because we had a different view of R. [Romberg] in the past. Since I am on this silly theater business, please be sure to write me next time which Italian singers except for [Alessandro] Bonci have performed at the Volksoper! I will soon have my picture taken, I will send you copies and you must both do the same, but soon, I am longing to see you at least in pictures. I like our game of questions and answers very much! You get the best grades for that. We will keep it up, you must tell us every day what you are doing and how you are both feeling. This is very important, it keeps us close, bridges the distance and helps us not to become estranged! You agree, don’t you? I have longed to speak to you or Egon on the telephone for so long. But it is impossible.
Because of the war. If only these words were passé by now! Here, people have different views on it. Today I talked to a lieutenant, who thinks that it will continue for at least another year. I hear that we are no longer doing as well in Italy as we were in the beginning. There have been no food handouts for two days. Cities are again being evacuated on [illegible]. What is the name of Egon’s first lieutenant, about whom you have told me? – Recently one of the women painters, as Egon calls them, came to our store, but she told me that neither herself nor her cousin are painters. She, in turn, took me for a Frenchwoman. Disappointment on both sides. – Madame Fuchs’s daily question “What does your sister write?” has become a stereotype. She seems to be very interested in you! And she says I should go visit you if you are so dying to see me. M.F. [Madame Fuchs] lately went swimming a lot, but now she has contracted symptoms of rheumatism from it and so she has to give up this enjoyable pastime, which is bad for one’s health, she says. I regret to say that she is constantly breathing down my neck. She takes it very seriously that I may not talk – thank God! – thus I am free to let my thoughts and dreams wander, which is a compensation. – She swears she will not take any more cold baths and as a result she must stay away from Fr. Dr. Verkauf [“Mrs. Sales”] – You are whetting our appetite with your blueberries. Why don’t you relieve the forest by 5 kg and send us some in a box. They will be delicious in a compote. – Your and my pink blouse is good for use again and is now very striking. What do you think of preppy [Ludwig] Ganghofer, he has been awarded with an Iron Cross for his 60th birthday. Now read this piece of news. – What may have been the motive behind this late, yet sudden decision? – Colonel lieutenant Fürbass Pfeifendeckel [“Onwards Pipecap”] has departed today. – Better late than never! –
And now goodbye my dear rascal – don’t wonder too much, I will tell you the reason next time.
Kisses – kisses – to both of you. Dely.